Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Abundant blessings. That's the only way to describe how things have been going lately. Not that anything has really changed...I still do laundry everyday, change diapers, homeschool the kids, etc. But things seem to be a little different. Things are changing.

Miracles can happen to anyone at any time...not necessarily when we are waiting for them to happen. The difficult thing is recognizing them. And really, what might seem like a miracle to one person, might be something else entirely to someone else. Well, I believe in miracles and I firmly believe that they are happening to me every day.

Taking the time to appreciate all that we have and all that we have to do is difficult. But when we do, it's an eye opener! Even more amazing is when we recognize God is in all these things! Those are miracles. And yes...I am still struggling with prayer and daily life in general. The one thing that is changing is that I'm finally throwing my hands up and saying "God...I need help!" And He helps in the most wonderful ways! Merely a change of attitude is all we need sometimes.

Dh told me recently that sometimes we fail to see the forest. We become so focused on looking at each individual tree that we miss seeing how beautiful the big picture is. Of course, we all have damaged trees and trees that need more attention. But once we take that step back...WOW!

OK...so prayer does help! Giving up your struggles to God does work. And even though not every day is perfect, we are all a work in progress.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Today, the kids woke up sick. Some with fevers and mostly everyone with a runny nose and sore throat. So I decided to take the morning off from doing school and just let the kids have some fun. Isabella was dying to bake something, so I broke out the aprons and we got to work! The boys were not interested in baking, so I let them work with their Lego's. It was great all around!

My little girl loves to bake and all things girly!

Marco and Anthony ham it up for the camera. I love it when they work together!

By the time lunch time rolled around, we had fresh bread and homemade chicken soup with a pumpkin muffins for dessert. Not to mention a Lego dump truck!

The yummiest lunch ever for a bunch of sick kids!

So the kids were sick, but we had a great morning regardless! The rest of the day was just as good as the kids spent their time playing with Lego's and dolls.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

As I went to bed last night and contemplated the day's events, I began my nightly prayer routine. I have been in the practice of sleeping with a rosary tucked into my pillow. It does a good job of reminding me to pray the rosary nightly and I found that it helps to ease my stresses when I reach into my pillow case and feel the rosary in my hand.

Not too long ago, however, my pillow rosary got misplaced and I had yet to tuck another one into the pillow case. It's simply a thing I keep putting off and forgetting. But last night I noticed a pattern; since the "disappearance" of my rosary, I have had a hard time praying. My thoughts have become randomized and I have a hard time focusing on talking to God. Not only that, but my daily spiritual life seems to be in much more disarray. Even praying in the morning with the children is no help.

My days seem so much more difficult, even though the day to day routines haven't changed. Why am I so stressed? Why are all the little things getting to me? Why does my daily routine seem to be getting harder and harder as the day progresses, when in reality it's not? Why am I failing to see God in the little things?

But I've had an epiphany. I've made the realization of what it is that I'm failing to do that is making my life so much more difficult and miserable. I'm letting the days slip by me without allowing God to help me. I'm letting the mundane in my daily life control me. I'm failing to end the day with God, Mary, and all the saints. And I need them. I need all their help and I need all their prayers.

This morning, I replaced my pillow rosary. I began doing my daily reflection. I asked for help. I devoted 20 minutes of my time to our Holy Mother. If my suffering lies in doing 20 loads of laundry, then I will offer up my suffering to God. If my misery for the day is explaining a math problem over and over, then I will offer up my misery to God. If my attitude doesn't express love and patience, then I will pray for help in attaining love and patience.

Because I am not a holy person and because my life revolves around doing daily chores, I've decided that the best people to ask for help are St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

This past Saturday, my little baby boy was baptised into the Catholic Church!! It was such a special day for all of us and we truly wish that we could have had our family attending. Our good friends accepted the role of godparents and we are happy that our Little Jimmy will have many examples of faith filled people to follow!

Monday, November 9, 2009

So busy, busy me....I finally have come back for another post and update!! Thankfully our house is on the mend and no one is officially sick anymore! With all the flu going around, it's times like this that I am thankful that my kids don't have to go to school (especially when there is a newborn in the house)!

As I had previously posted on books...I recently bought Rome Sweet Rome by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. I have a confession to make as well. Although I have owned some of Scott Hahn's books for some time now, this is the first time I have actually read one! I know...unbelievable! But I'm glad that I started with this book.

A tale of their conversion to Catholicism, I found this book to be such an easy read (I finished it in a day) and such a wonderful story! It's nice to read books that inspire you to delve deeper into your faith. Highly recommended!!

I always find that I have so much trouble suggesting Catholic books to friends. I don't know if it's because I don't want them to think I'm pushy (especially if they are non-Catholic) or because I feel like they might think that I'm too one dimensional. But one thing is true about this particular book...after reading it, I don't see how any non-Catholic can stay that way!

Pick it up and read it if you are Catholic! And if you are not, read it too!!! I dare you!

About Me

I'm a wife, mother, and wannabe adventurer. Homeschooling 8 wonderful kids, my days are full of rough-housing and rainbows with our 5 boys and 3 girls. From toddlers to teens and everywhere in between!
We find daily inspiration in the Holy Family and look to Jesus, Mary and Joseph for guidance. Welcome to my world!